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SPITI / INDIA
a public talk
by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
August 10th, 2000
Now in the 20th century people in India are gradually once more taking
interest in Buddhism.
People in all northern Himalaya - Ladakh, Spiti, Arunachal, Sikkim and
also in other areas - already have the Tibetan Buddhist culture as well as
Buddhism. In the last 41 years since I came to this area, I noticed that
people's realization of their own cultural heritage, including
Buddhadharma, has been growing and this is a very positive development.
But still it is not sufficient to have just a few gompas or temples there.
They must study and learn the Buddhadharma, just praying and reciting
some mantras is not sufficient. They must study!
His Holiness: It's a matter of fact that a lot of changes are taking place in
the sense of material development. We have technology and science and
that's very good. But at the same time, as I mentioned earlier, the human
needs cannot be fulfilled by money alone. That's very clear, we can see
that there are people who have all the material facilities, but still they are
very unhappy.
That means, if money alone could remove all problems, dissatisfaction and
unhappiness, rich people should not have any reasons to complain.
Therefore, spirituality and human values are very essential. There are two
levels of spirituality - one even without a religious belief - simply to
remain a good human being without any religious faith.
The basic human nature is gentleness. The seed of a sense of caring for
one another is in our blood, because the human being is a social animal.
Therefore, right from the beginning the seed of community is there in our
mind.
These are the signs that we are human beings, these are the indications
of how important human affection is. The sense of community, caring for
one another, sharing with one another, a more compassionate attitude, a
warm heart - these are basic human values. If these are present, a person
will be happy, one's whole life and family will be happier and more
successful.
Basically, we want to have a happy life, that's our aim whether we are
believers or non-believers. One factor is money, but the main factor is
peace of mind and this comes only if you have a warm heart. This basic
human value is essential.
Now the real answer to your question - various religious traditions have a
great potential to promote these human values and Buddhism is one of
them. One unique thing about Buddhism is the concept of dependent
arising, which gets on very well with the scientific point of view. Some
scientists are beginning to show interest in Buddhist concepts.
∙ cosmology
∙ neurobiology
∙ quantum physics
∙ psychology
In these four fields there are similarities between scientific and Buddhist
concepts. Meeting and discussing with scientists in these four fields is
important, and we Buddhists also got great benefits learning from the
latest scientific findings in these fields.
Therefore I feel that Buddhism can help to bring closer science and
Dharma. In the last century science and Dharma went generally in
different directions, because scientists had the feeling that Dharma is
based on faith without much reason, just on acceptance. The scientists`
way is more skeptical and carries out more investigation, brings more
questions.
His Holiness: There are many Hindus, but it's a different faith. Kalachakra
is a teaching meant for Buddhists.
His Holiness: Marriage should not be done just on the basis of physical
attraction. I think marriage should happen on the basis of recognition or
understanding of each other's qualities. It is important to develop genuine
respect, not just physical attraction. When both sides develop genuine
respect, some kind of admiration of one another comes and then the
marriage could be a long lasting marriage. I see people getting married
without knowing each other, just because of physical attraction. Then, for
two weeks they are mad, get married and after two months it's finished.
Of course sexual freedom is very good, but going to the extreme without
self-discipline - sometimes that's a real disaster!
In the human way of life there should be more balance, discipline is not
just a religious matter. There is always some conflict between the long-
term interest and the short-term interest. In order to save the long-term
interest sometimes we have to sacrifice the short time interest and
benefit. So, you need discipline. Some sense? No sense?
His Holiness: I take it easy. I always try to take things lightly. Then
another factor is that one should be truthful, sincere and hide nothing,
just be open. So I say whatever I feel. That's one factor.
His Holiness: I think most probably, there's real hope. I will give you one
simple answer - If we look at the Tibetan situation locally, then we see the
things as very difficult. We get the feeling of hopelessness and
desperation.
But if we look at the Tibetan issue from a wider, global perspective, then
there is real hope; you can realize that things are changing a lot, people
from China itself are in the process of changing. On the other side, the
Tibetan spirit is very strong. I think from this wider perspective there is
real hope. Therefore it is possible.
His Holiness: Individually speaking, when you talk about receiving benefits
from Kalachakra, it's very much dependent on the level of fundamental
knowledge of Buddhism. So, if it is someone who at least has a basic
knowledge of the Buddhadharma and some experience, mainly of
bodhicitta* and understanding of shunyata (emptiness), then the initiation
of Kalachakra certainly makes some progress for this person, it will make
the mind serviceable for further spiritual development.
If the person has not much of these basic qualities - then it's difficult!
bodhicitta - the altruistic wish to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of
all sentient beings
A: Curiosity!
Question: Why did you decide to give the full Kalachakra initiation?
His Holiness: In the West I usually give the vase initiation and also the
initiations that are the maturing factors for the completion stage practice.
Then, like in Bodhgaya and once or twice in South India, there are many
young important lamas and they will have the responsibility for future
initiations. So these people get the complete initiation. I am willing to give
the full initiations, but it also depends on my physical condition. If I am
too tired, I better go to sleep.
Question: I am studying the mandala from the symbolic point of view.
Doesn't Kalachakra itself have healing energy, even for Non-Buddhists?
I can see some people coming out of curiosity - this is no problem. Then I
see some people coming with great expectations - that's wrong, because
they get disappointed. The worst thing is if somebody comes thinking that
I have healing powers - then that's a great disaster.
Question: This is the first Kalachakra of the millennium and you're calling
it "Kalachakra for World Peace". Do you see in the coming century less
and less or more and more conflicts to be resolved between the northern
richer world and the southern world? On what ground do we meet?
His Holiness: I don't have much interest concerning new and old
millenniums, there's not much difference. But I feel the 20th century
perhaps was one of the most important ones. In this century humanity
carried out many experiments in many fields - ideology, science,
technology... Within the century itself, I think, a lot of things changed.
The human concept at the end of the 20th century is much different than
it was at the beginning of it.
Look at South Africa. Under the leadership of Nelson Mandela the concept
of non-violence is actually becoming a political reality. So you can see that
in many places the concept of peace and non-violence is becoming really
very strong.
A lot of positive changes took place in many other things as well. I think
the new 21st century will be more peaceful. I am quite sure that if human
beings will handle the problems on the basis of our past experience -
properly and wisely, with more patience, then the 21st century will be
more peaceful, more harmonious.
Now your question about North and South - rich and poor. This gap is a
very serious matter. Not just on a global level, also within the nations
themselves. In the U.S., a very rich country with the strongest
consumerism, some people are very rich, but the gap between rich and
poor is huge.
The number of people is increasing, but the poor still remain poor. Even in
Washington, the capital of a great nation, the richest nation, the most
powerful nation - you can see a lot of poor people there. This is not only
morally wrong, but also practically a source of problems. So, we have to
deal with this. I think on the government level people have a great
responsibility. But also, each individual and each family in the community
has the responsibility to try to change this situation.
Also in India, like in Bombay - some of the families are very rich, some
are very poor. There are lots of children without anything, without
education, they have no proper food and no shelter. You can see a lot of
slum children on the street.
His Holiness: In America and also in many other places I can see this - the
lifestyle of the richer side is too expensive, that's useless, it's an illusion.
From their side, out of their money profit they should spend more money
helping the poor ones, their education. Then from the poor people's side,
they develop hate towards the rich families. They should not do like that.
They should concentrate on education and with self-confidence - through
education and hard work - they can make it. And the richer families
should provide them facilities. I mentioned this in South Africa, too. A sad
problem is that these people feel inferior. Once in Sueto, South Africa, I
visited one family of black Africans. They really enjoy Indian music and
they played it very loudly. That family arranged a tea for me and as I was
very thirsty, I found it very delicious. Then I found something to discuss
with them.
One young, energetic man introduced me to his teacher and I told the
teacher that he has a great opportunity to serve their community, that he
should spread the feeling that white and black people are equal. Not only
according to the constitution, mentally and emotionally as well. They must
have that feeling of equality.
But he said: "We black people are inferior, we can't compete with white
people".
In that moment I really felt very sad. Then I told him that that's
absolutely wrong. We are the same emotionally, intellectually, physically
and mentally. Now the new constitution gives the same opportunity to all.
So, you see that sometimes the situation creates a certain impression, but
in reality we are all the same - Tibetans and our Chinese brothers and
sisters. Actually, we have the same potential. We are same - whatever the
Chinese can do, we Tibetans can do as well.
Then with a low voice this black person turned to me with tears in his
eyes: "Yes, now I believe, we are all the same". At that moment I felt a
tremendous relief.
So, this is the problem. People from poor sections usually have the feeling
of inferiority and out of this feeling some kind of hatred arouses and that
causes self-destruction. So, the poorer section should have self-confidence
and put much effort in education. I think that's the proper way and in the
long run the only way to make the gap smaller in a friendly and peaceful
way.
You can see this also in Brazil - rich families and street children. Every
night some get killed, they have no protection, nothing. This is really sad.
His Holiness: India is a great country. With a long history and a rich
culture. I think, as far as spirituality is concerned, this is the nation with
the longest, richest and most profound philosophical and religious
tradition.
In India, especially in South India, you can see - one family Hindus, one
family Muslims, one family Christians. No quarrel! This is the greatness of
India and these are the foundations of non-violence. On the religious level
and also on the social level we have no violence. This richness of India
must stay alive. Despite some difficulties, this spirit must be kept alive.